Gravesham

Gravesham's population grew in the 10 years leading up to 2011. Data from the census show there were changes in religion, ethnicity and marriage.

The population passed 100,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Gravesham increased by 6.3%, from just over 95,700 to 102,000.

The addition of about 6,000 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Gravesham was home to, on average, 7.3 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across the South East

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the South East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

More single parents

Census 2011 data also show a change in family life for many in Gravesham.

The percentage of households in Gravesham, which comprised a single parent, increased from 8.8% in 2001 to 11% in 2011.

In 2011, just over one in three (35%) households had a married couple, compared with 40% in 2001. The percentage of households in Gravesham, which comprised a cohabiting couple, increased from 8.9% to 10%.

The proportion of single-parent households increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 8.0% in 2001 to 9.2% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.5% to 11%.

The percentage of households with a single-parent in Gravesham increased by 2.4 percentage points

Percentage of households in Gravesham, the South East and England that had a single parent, March 2001 and March 2011

Fall in social renting

This area saw the South East's joint third-largest fall in the proportion of socially rented homes, alongside Dartford. The largest fall was seen in Eastbourne

In 2011, just over one in six (17%) households in Gravesham lived in social housing, compared with 19% in 2001. The percentage of privately rented homes increased from 7.6% to 16%.

The rate of social housing was higher than across the South East

Percentage of households that that rented socially across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Religion in Gravesham

The number of people in Gravesham that described themselves as having no religion increased from about 12,000 in 2001 to just under 22,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 12% to 21% of the local population.

The percentage increased by less than the average across the South East (from 17% to 28%) and the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Gravesham that described themselves as Christian decreased from just over 69,000 in 2001 to just under 62,000 in 2011 (from 72% to 61%). The number of people who described themselves as Sikh increased from about 6,400 to just over 7,700 (from 6.7% to 7.6%).

About 6,400 people (7.0%) did not state their religion, down from just over 6,700 in 2001 (6.3%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in Gravesham increased by 9.5 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Gravesham by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Gravesham

The number of people in Gravesham from the White ethnic groups increased from just under 86,000 in 2001 to about 84,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 90% to 83% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across the South East (from 95% to 91%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Gravesham from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from about 8,200 in 2001 to just under 11,000 in 2011 (from 8.6% to 10%). The number of residents from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from about 610 to just under 2,900 (from 0.6% to 2.8%).

About 2,100 people (1.0%) said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed), up from just over 970 in 2001 (2.0%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Gravesham decreased by 6.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Gravesham by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

More single people in Gravesham

The percentage of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership increased in Gravesham at a faster rate than across the South East.

In Gravesham, the proportion of single people increased from 26% in 2001 to 32% in 2011. During the same period, the regional proportion increased from 29% to 32%.

Across England, the share of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership increased from 30% to 35%.

The proportion of married people in Gravesham fell from 55% to 49%, while the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner increased from 11% to 12%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership was higher than across the South East

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that that said they were single across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

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Area report data

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